The Delhi High Court today issued summons to Trinamool Congress leader Mahua Moitra and five media outlets over the former’s “defamatory statements” against lawyer and former partner Jai Anant Dehadrai, Livelaw reported.  

In the defamation suit, Dehadrai alleged that Moitra made “defamatory statements” about him on social media as well as print and electronic media.

Justice Prateek Jalan sought Moitra’s response on Dehadrai’s application and also issued summons to CNN-News18, India Today, Gulf News, The Telegraph and The Guardian, besides social media companies X and Google. 

However, the judge also said no one in the case was a “victim” or a “perpetrator”, describing Moita and Dehadrai as “warring parties”. The matter will be heard next on April 8.

The controversy between Moitra and Dehadrai erupted in October last year, when BJP MP Nishikant Dubey alleged that Moitra “took bribes” from a business house to “ask questions” in Parliament. The complaint mentioned Dehadrai, whom the TMC leader has previously described as her “jilted ex”. The two had earlier fought a legal battle over the custody of their pet dog. 

The controversy intensified as a parliamentary probe was launched against Moitra, leading to her expulsion from the Lok Sabha in December last year. 

But how did it all begin with Dehadrai at its core? Read here.